The eligible construction costs of the Team Gushue
Highway extension project, including this contract for the clearing of
the highway corridor, are being shared equally between the Federal and
Provincial Governments under the federal Building Canada Fund. The
Provincial Government will assume additional costs associated with
project design, contract administration and land acquisition.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to invest in the
Team Gushue Highway project. We are committed to working with the
Province of Newfoundland and Labrador for real results," said the
Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, Regional Minister
for Nova Scotia and Minister responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador,
on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities. "This highway expansion is further proof
that our government is doing what it takes to put people to work, and
create infrastructure that will make our country and our economy
stronger."
The current contract is for the clearing of trees and
shrubs from the right of way for the new highway route. The Department
of Transportation and Works plans to call tenders to begin construction
of the roadway itself in the coming months. It is expected that the Team
Gushue Highway extension will take three years to complete. Once
completed, the City of St. John's will assume ownership of the highway.
The highway extension will complete a link across the
west end of the City of St. John's connecting the Outer Ring Road in the
north with the Robert E. Howlett Memorial Drive in the south. Once
completed, it will provide people of the region with better access to
important regional infrastructure and services and relieve traffic
congestion on major urban routes in the region.
"We are very pleased to see the Provincial and Federal
Governments proceeding with work on this critical transportation link,"
said St. John's Mayor Dennis O'Keefe. "The City of St. John's, as well
as the entire region, will reap the benefits once the highway is
completed in its entirety and the city takes over snow clearing and
maintenance responsibilities. We have one of the fastest growing
economies in Canada and developing our infrastructure is of vital
importance as we work to capitalize on future economic opportunities and
provide our residents with strong transportation networks."
The Department of Transportation and Works will hold
two open house public information sessions to provide an opportunity for
people to view details of the project and to ask questions of department
officials pertaining to project implementation. The sessions will be
held on November 29, at the Suncor Energy Fluvarium, Pippy Park, from
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The Government of Canada is taking important steps to
support economic growth. Canada's Economic Action Plan provides for
almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years
and the acceleration of the $33-billion Building Canada Plan, which will
help address needs in communities across Canada and contribute to
long-term economic growth through investments in public infrastructure
such as roads, water treatment plants, green energy and transit.
Through Budget 2010:
The Right Investments — For
Our Children and Our Future,
the Provincial Government has allocated
a record $1 billion for provincial infrastructure investments, for a
total infrastructure strategy valued at more than $5 billion over the
next several years. As part of this investment, $177.7 million in
Provincial Government funding is allocated for road and bridge
expenditures throughout the province. This funding will be supplemented
by an additional $57.9 million in Federal Government funding for a total
road and bridge investment of $235.6 million in 2010-11.